Following reports of violent attacks on voters, election officials and security personnel at the Ekiti East State Constituency 1 bye-election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the election indefinitely.
The election which held Saturday, March 20, 2021, was marred by violence, leading to the death of three voters while a Youth Corper, a police woman and an INEC staff sustained gunshot wounds in PU 07, ward 07, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ekiti State, Dr. Tella Adeniran stated.
According to Dr. Adeniran, “The Ekiti East State Constituency 1 bye-election which started at 8.30 a.m. today witnessed 100% opening of polls at 8.30 a.m. The exercise commenced on a good note in a peaceful and orderly manner. However, at about 10.00 a.m there were reported cases of violence:
“i. In two (2) PUs of ward 09 (Obadore IV); polling unit 8 (Baba Egbe house/odouro/Odoule) & polling unit 9 (Beside Baba Egbe/Odouru/Odoule)
“ii, Polling unit 07 (Aro street/Aro) of ward 07 (Obadore II).
“In PU 07, ward 07 three (3) voters were shot dead while a youth corper, a police woman and an INEC staff sustained gunshot wounds.
“Under this circumstance, the safety of electoral officials, security personnel and election materials as well as the credibility of the process cannot be guaranteed.
“The State Commissioner of Police is fully aware of the situation.
“It is unfortunate that in spite of the effort of the Commission in giving Nigerians free, fair, credible and inclusive election, some people appear to be unprepared for an improved electoral process.
“The situation is such that a conducive environment no longer exists for further electoral activity at the PUs and the Collation centers. In view of this development, the Commission has suspended the election forthwith”, the statement ended.
In the same vein, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, while announcing an indefinite suspension of the election, said that the situation is unacceptable.
He noted that INEC in its avowed commitment to electoral integrity, has suspended the election indefinitely, adding that to continue with the process will amount to rewarding bad behavior.
In his words, “The Commission made adequate arrangements for the election. Personnel and materials arrived on time in all the 39 Polling Units spread across 5 Wards of the Constituency for the 23,670 registered voters to exercise their franchise in a free and fair process.
“However, no sooner had voting commenced than unidentified gunmen unleashed mayhem at some Polling Units, thereby disrupting the process.
“Unfortunately, some innocent voters were shot dead, while a policeman, some INEC regular and ad hoc staff who sustained gunshot injuries during the melee are receiving medical attention”, he stated.
Okoye, who noted that the security agencies are aware of the unfortunate situation and have commenced investigation, commiserated with the innocent victims of the dastardly act and affront to Nigeria’s democracy.
